In your language
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Our very successful intensive English language programmes have been running for 26 years. We have welcomed over 46,000 students on these, almost all from Eastern Central Europe – but all are welcome!
Over the many years, we have developed engaging and inspiring programmes for students which not only enhance students language acquisition, but build extensive fluency and confidence which comes from interacting with native speakers of English on a daily basis. Our programmes seek to develop the students' cultural knowledge and awareness, and as such give a realistic framework for consolidating vocabulary, language patterns and forming a deep understanding of language in use.
We provide this opportunity from the start, by communicating with the accompanying teacher to find out the students’ language strengths and abilities in order to build a programme which is appropriate for their needs. At that point a unique programme is designed at the students’ level/s using an integrated thematic approach, which fosters knowledge of the surrounding environment and the associated language which would be met there. The classroom opportunities we create, ensure that students have an interactive multi-sensory experience which meets a variety of learning styles and are designed specifically to encourage natural communication.
The three-tiered approach we practice creates secondary reinforcement, as the students continue their learning outside the classroom. As well as being facilitated in accessing cultural information from our ELT specific guides, who can bring out the very best from the beautiful coastal locale, students are engaging with the environment themselves, information seeking, problem solving and expanding on the 'taught' information from the classroom.
For further cultural awareness, students stay in host families who not only help students gain an understanding of typical British life, but are themselves a resource which students can utilise to gain new language. This immersion in family life provides conversation opportunities and reinforcement of the thematic topics covered during class time.
The information students gain from the outside environment is brought back to the classroom to ensure it is used for active communication and for concept checking and consolidation.
Our SOL teachers bring English language to life in a series of 10 videos based on life in Devon and the UK. Experience native-speaker teachers leading the learning in your classroom and gain a valuable collection of videos, differentiated materials and resources that you can use with your learners time and time again.
The videos are £30 each or all 10 for £250.
If you are considering bringing students to SOL next year or in the future, then purchasing these videos can act as a reservation fee for your future course.
For this option contact sol@sol.org.uk
In this video students discuss what school means to them, they are invited to learn about school life in England, including listening to interviews with teachers and discovering how much Harry Potter’s Hogwarts School is based on reality! There is also a focus on what school is like in England in 2020 “Covid-world” and students are asked to consider how schools should be different in the future.
To purchase this resource package please email sol@sol.org.uk
An exploration of some typical and possibly unusual hobbies which are part of British life, including several interviews with those who enjoy them. Students discuss their own hobbies and what benefit they get from them. They are also given the opportunity, through magazine articles, to discover how hobbies in the UK have changed during 2020 because of lockdown and Covid restrictions and to reflect on changes in their own interests and the lives of the friends and family. For those who have visited us in Devon, there is also a video made by our SOL team about what we have all been doing while we couldn’t teach students!
To purchase this resource package please email sol@sol.org.uk
This is a lesson and a half because any focus on our environment and the issues we face as a planet is inevitably bursting with ideas and discussion topics. There are 5 different videos which can be used in the order suggested in the lesson plan or taken as individual sessions. We begin with reflecting on the global issues of human influences on our planet and then focus on Devon and how we are trying to protect our nature and wildlife. Students take a virtual drive into Exmoor Park and meet a wildlife ranger. They also learn about the North Devon Biosphere and are encouraged to find out about biospheres in their own country.
To purchase this resource package please email sol@sol.org.uk
Devon is full of local stories that are passed down through the centuries and change over time. In this video, we learn about “Crazy” Kate who lived in the unique fishing village of Clovelly on the North Devon coast. Students hear the story retold with visual prompts and watch an enactment of the tragedy at the heart of the story. They are encouraged to take part in some roleplay activities and then we meet Stephen, the harbourmaster, who tells us some of the reality behind the story. The video is available in 2 different levels (one with subtitles for lower level). Follow-on activities include students building their own story using picture prompts provided on the video.
To purchase this resource package please email sol@sol.org.uk
This lesson students gives an insight into ‘life on a beach’. Students will see one of the best beaches in North Devon with live footage of some of the beach activities, interviews with people who use the beach and with a member of the RNLI lifeguard team. Some of the ‘dangers’ of the beach are shown, both humorous and more serious to give students an idea of the variety of conditions on the beaches here. There are points for discussion, review and exercises and the flexibility of the topic allows more or less to be covered in any lesson.
To purchase this resource package please email sol@sol.org.uk
This video allows students to explore the shady, and sometimes exciting past of the shores of Cornwall. During this lesson, students will be introduced to the techniques of piracy used at the time, the treasure, which was gained, and those who were most famous in Cornwall at the time for their wicked ways. The students will have a chance to discuss, share opinions, problem solve, link the past with the present, be information hunters and show their best pirate behaviour in a summative roleplay.
To purchase this resource package please email sol@sol.org.uk
During this video, students will be led through a series of signs from around the UK, some show a great representation of British culture, some are great for provoking discussion and some are super at showcasing British humour with a tongue in cheek approach. The students will exercise many skills while learning, including an inquisitive approach to accessing signs, debates on right and wrong and links between cultures. They will also respond to humorous signs with representative roleplays and assess language for irony and double meanings.
To purchase this resource package please email sol@sol.org.uk
This video explores a well-told and locally feared story which is based in Dartmoor National Park in Devon. Students will gain insight into the story through a series of discussions, investigative tasks and roleplays. They will use their listening and observation skills to complete topic specific tasks and share their opinions of fact and fiction. This will be enhanced by an expert on location Simon Dell MBE who is a skilled and knowledgeable tour guide of Dartmoor. He will share his first-hand experience of the story in its real context.
To purchase this resource package please email sol@sol.org.uk
Come with us to the homes of our SOL host families and see what British family life is really like. Listen to interviews with our families and find out more about their lives, homes, backgrounds and traditions. Use the information in the interviews to discuss, to respond to questioning, to read and to act. Look at key aspects of British family life and engage with different scenarios and how you would respond to them. Listen to how our host families made lockdown bearable and, in some cases, a positive and exciting experience. Compare with your own culture!
To purchase this resource package please email sol@sol.org.uk
Take a colourful journey through all that is great about British food. Look at funny food names and traditional local recipes, their ingredients and their interesting origins. Explore language that is used commonly in British cookery and explore specifically into bakery items with local recipes and products, a visit to local bakery businesses and an interview with a bakery entrepreneur. Tempt your tastebuds with this tasty exploration.
To purchase this resource package please email sol@sol.org.uk
Instow. Boats and battles task A1. A2
Instow. Boats and battles task B1. B2
Devon cream tea making task. Level A
Devon cream tea making task. Level B1
Devon cream tea - Bake and Build. Level A
Devon cream tea - Bake and Build. Level B
Ilfracombe work and leisure. Level A
Ilfracombe work and leisure. Level B
Instow beach at low tide. Level A1. A2
Instow beach at low tide. Level B1. B2
Easter in the UK and Easter 2020. Level A
Easter in the UK and Easter 2020. Level B
Easter in the UK and Easter 2020. Level A
Easter in the UK and Easter 2020. Level B
CH - Captain Tom Part 1
CH - Climbing Mount Everest at home
CH - Airline staff find new ways to keep busy
2 Bridge Chambers, The Strand, Barnstaple Devon, EX31 1HB England
Phone: 0044 1271 327 319
Email: sol@sol.org.uk
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